'The Boy Who Stole the Sun' returns with adult, children's versions

WHAT: Orlando Fringe Festival hit "The Boy Who Stole the Sun" will return for a limited run at The Venue beginning Friday, Sept. 20. The adult fable follows the exploits of 11-year-old Jaxson during one summer in which he finds his first love — and tells his first lie — on the way to adulthood.

The playwright, Orlando-based Christian Kelty, will star in the production as Jaxson. Other additions to the cast since its Fringe premiere are Charlie MacCrone as the Sun and Sarah-Lee Dobbs as the Moon. Also in the cast: Carly Skubick, Sam Hazel, Brett Carson and William Eads-Brown.

One other change from the Fringe Festival: Kelty has adapted the script, excising some jarring adult language, to create a child-friendly version of the story that will be presented at matinee performances.

Live musical accompaniment will be led by Atif Sharif, who composed the work's original score.

WHERE: The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive, Orlando

WHEN: The adult version will be performed at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The child-friendly version will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 22 and at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and 29. The show runs through Sept. 29.

TICKETS: Evenings: $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Matinees: $15 for adults, $10 for children. During opening weekend, a discount will be given to those who bring a 2012 Fringe button to the performance; call for details.

There is a lovely fablelike quality to "The Boy Who Stole the Sun," not only in the actual story but in the creative production directed by Christian Kelty. The Sun (Joseph Martens), personified by a laid-back guitar player, strolls across the stage. He's joined by his true love, the Moon (Jessica...